Senate policy committee to visit Tamaqua, discuss rural dentist shortage
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL FILE - Downtown Tamaqua is seen in 2020.
TAMAQUA – The Senate Majority Policy Committee will be in Schuylkill County next week to review the growing shortage of dentists and assistants in rural Pennsylvania.
A public hearing is set for Wednesday at 1pm at the Lehigh Carbon Community College Morgan Center, 234 High Street. The committee is chaired by Senator Dave Argall (R-Schuylkill)
“At least 50% of the state is underserved when it comes to dental care. A lack of dental care affects more than just your teeth – it contributes to heart disease and increased rates of opioid abuse,” said Argall. “Attracting dentists and their staff to practice in rural areas is one of the biggest challenges in fixing this problem. We’re now working on a potential solution – creating Pennsylvania’s first ever rural dental school in Tamaqua.”
Panelists will include local healthcare officials, statewide dental associations, and community college and university officials. The hearing will be livestreamed on the Senate Majority Policy Committee’s website.
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